Sen. Thune: Delegation Encourages President to Quickly Approve Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- The office of Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., issued the following news release:

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today wrote to President Trump to express their strong support for Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman David Flute's request for a disaster declaration on the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Reservation. If approved, the federal disaster assistance would greatly assist in recovery efforts from strong winter storms from December 25-26, 2016, that resulted in freezing rain, snow and ice accumulations, and high-velocity straight-line winds across the reservation, significantly damaging public infrastructure. The majority of the storm's impact was from loss of power, but most of the eligible costs for the tribal government were allocated for response activities, like emergency housing, food, and shelter, as well as cleanup costs. Gov. Daugaard requested a disaster declaration for portions of South Dakota on January 23, 2017, for costs incurred by rural electrical cooperatives.

"We applaud the work of the tribal leadership in response to the severe storm system," the delegation wrote. "Their efforts to provide emergency shelters, medical supplies, generators, and other services prevented the widespread power outages from having greater negative impacts. However, the cost to provide these services, as well as the expected costs for cleanup, imposes financial hardship on tribal operations. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate has responded to multiple severe weather events in the last year. None of these events received federal assistance, but response efforts exceeded emergency response budgets. As the chairman indicates, the storm caused severe damage such that federal assistance is necessary. This determination was reached on the basis of preliminary damage assessment completed by the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency."

Full text of the letter is below:

The Honorable Donald Trump

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump:

As members of the South Dakota congressional delegation, we write to express our full support of Chairman David Flute's request for a major disaster declaration for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. This declaration would greatly assist in recovery efforts from strong winter storms from December 25, 2016, through December 26, 2016, that resulted in freezing rain, snow and ice accumulations, and high-velocity straight-line winds across the reservation.

The chairman's disaster declaration request explains that the storms caused significant damage to public infrastructure. The storms left three-quarters of tribal residents and businesses without power for up to one week. Utility services, transportation, and normal operations of public and private entities were all disrupted. Additionally, cleanup efforts are required for fallen trees and damaged buildings. Your approval of the request for a disaster declaration will accelerate recovery across the affected region.

We applaud the work of the tribal leadership in response to the severe storm system. Their efforts to provide emergency shelters, medical supplies, generators, and other services prevented the widespread power outages from having greater negative impacts. However, the cost to provide these services, as well as the expected costs for cleanup, imposes financial hardship on tribal operations. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate has responded to multiple severe weather events in the last year. None of these events received federal assistance, but response efforts exceeded emergency response budgets. As the chairman indicates, the storm caused severe damage such that federal assistance is necessary. This determination was reached on the basis of preliminary damage assessment completed by the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

We respectfully request that you declare a major disaster for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and that you instruct federal agencies to expedite the delivery of all forms of federal disaster assistance for which the tribe is eligible based upon that declaration. Further, we request that you consider granting the cost share adjustment as requested by Chairman Flute due to the financial hardship on tribal operations. We would be pleased to offer any assistance that you may require in fulfilling this request.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us if we can provide you with additional information.

Sincerely,

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